Place all the ingredients except peanut butter in slow cooker and cook on low for 8 hours. Once the chicken is cooked, take it out of slow cooker and shred it. Stick it back the slow cooker along with the peanut butter. Stir the peanut butter in completely. Let cook for another 3-5 minutes. Serve over brown jasmine rice. ENJOY!

The word is out! We are going on vacation in December for a few days with some friends, and I'm SO stinkin' excited I can barely contain myself!

On another note, last night (as one of my friends explained it) I erupted (which is what you do when you keep all your emotions in and then all the sudden you just erupt with tears and words...kinda like a volcano). Anyway... it was a good cry indeed. Even after she left my house, the tears were still coming as I chatted to my husband about all that was on my heart. I've come to the conclusion that so many times in my life when it comes to fear/anxiety I "give it to God" and then I sit there watching and waiting for it to change. And then while I'm watching and waiting for it to change, I inevitably pick it back up and throw it back over my shoulder because I don't see God doing anything with it. I've done that for so long now, that now the fear/anxiety just rules my life- every single part of it... even simple tasks that should be no big deal. My husband was sharing with me about how many times in lifes circumstances we give the devil and the demonic too much credit, but more often than not we just ignore it. There are spiritual battles going on all around us. After my eruption last night night, I'm sure that this struggle with fear/anxiety is just that. The demonic like that I feel trapped and chained to my fear/anxiety, they like that I feel paranoid about everything, they like that I feel like an idiot, they like that the fear effects every aspect of my life (including trying to sleep at night), they like that the lack of sleep is effecting my body. I'm so sick of it. So starting today I'm going to be engaging in a battle, trusting that God will provide me with all the appropriate armor. Trusting that when I'm weary and ready to give up, that the LORD will be there to give me the courage to keep going... to keep fighting, through the power of His Holy Spirit. 'God has not given me a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.' (2Tim1:7) If God is for me, who then can be against me?!

Tuesday, August 18, 2009

Blend all ingredients and put in ice cream maker freezer tin. If there is quite a bit of room to the top, then finish filling it with milk. Remember that the mixture will expand as it freezes, so don't fill it too full. Follow your ice cream makers instructions.**** I didn't have to add any milk because I have a smaller freezer tin.****

Don't let this recipes simple ingredients fool you. This vanilla ice cream is amazing! You will never want to eat store bought ice cream again! My one mistake I made was that I didn't leave the ice cream in the maker long enough so it was a little slushy. I put the ice cream in the freezer over night and tried it this morning and the texture is PERFECTO!!!!

Sunday, August 16, 2009

I stayed home from church today, because I wasn't feeling well, so I spent some time thinking and praying. For some years now, a common struggle of mine has been fear. I'm in a constant state of fear it seems. I was thinking today about how I've let my fears just reign in my life... its like I'm in bondage to them, ya know? My fears keep me from living a full and free life in Christ. I am SO tired of it... not just mentally, but physically- my neck is always sore, and I'm always getting headaches. I'm struggling with knowing how to deal with my fears. I know that I need to give my fears to God, and believe me I try to. I'm just at a loss.... is there something that I'm missing? Why is this thorn not going away? Its been years that I've struggled with this, and I don't feel like it ever gets any better. Anyway... this is a real struggle for me, and I just needed you to know that... whoever you are that reads my random thoughts.

Friday, August 14, 2009

On Tuesday night I went with some girls from Community Group to go see Julie and Julia. LOVED IT! If you enjoy cooking, or even if you just enjoy the idea of cooking you will love this movie. **Warning there are two parts where I can remember being shocked by the swearing/vulgarity. So I was disappointed about that, but if they just took out those two parts, it would be fine.** Just thought I'd put that lil disclaimer in there. hehe!

Anyway, so I've been rather absent from the blog lately. I'm truly sorry. Life gets busy, ya know man? I've been busy rehearsing songs to sing at a wedding in the bay area, taking senior photos/editing them as well. Also tried a new recipe... yet another from the amazingly talented Pioneer Woman. The hubs and I had gone to a restaurant in the bay area called "Strizzies" and they had a wonderful pasta primavera dish, so when we returned home I had my heart set on finding a good recipe for it. Anyway, of course PW would have it on her site, so I tried it and WOWZA! It is a lovely creamy vegetable heaven in your mouth! Here is the link; http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2007/08/pioneer_womans_/OH, and P.S. I used whole wheat noodles instead- because that what I always use when making a pasta dish. Not that it really makes cream sauce any healthier. haha! But I mean, COME ON... sometimes you gotta live a little, and have a cream sauce!

OK, well... thanks for reading my rambled thoughts. I'm hoping in the next few days to post some pics from the senior photo shoot. So keep checking back. Hugs to all!